Twenty-seven Chattanooga student-athletes walked across the stage at the McKenzie Arena on Sunday, May 3 participating in UTC’s 227th Commencement Ceremony. These student-athletes represent the University’s commitment to a solid education and strong athletics program.

“It is our mission to prepare our student-athletes for productive and meaningful lives,” said Rick Hart, UTC Director of Athletics. “Seeing them leave UTC with a degree – and hearing about the role their athletics experience played in the achievement of that goal – is truly inspiring. It is the reason we come to work each day; and it is comforting to know that they are equipped to enter the next phase of their life.”

Among those student-athletes receiving their degrees were Dayle May Award winners Amy Mohr, women’s basketball, and Michael Mentz, cross country and track. The May Award is presented to the senior with the top grade point average on the year.

Mohr maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout her career with the Lady Mocs who claimed nine consecutive Southern Conference titles and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the third straight time this season. Mentz, a native of Bloemfontein, South Africa, earned All-Region honors this season in cross country placing 22nd in the South Region race and is an outdoor track region qualifier this season in the 1500m run.

Several All-conference student-athletes received their diplomas Sunday including runners Katie Williams, Amanda Alexander and Nettie Halcomb, tennis players Razvan Axente and Lindsey Ballard along with volleyball player Leslee Ball and wrestlers Javier Maldonado, Aaron Martin and Lloyd Rogers. Halcomb was named the Southern Conference Indoor Track Athlete of the Year in 2005 and Rogers was the league’s top wrestler in 2008.

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